HARTFORD – The Connecticut House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a measure that would assist veterans in qualifying for certain occupational licenses by reviewing the training that was received during military service.

State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, R-Somers, is a proponent of H.B. 5387, which establishes a task force aimed at transitioning servicemen and women into career paths similar to their military service. The task force would review training and experience associated with military occupational specialties, and make recommendations as a substitute for certain state licensing requirements.

“This needs to be a priority for Connecticut,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “As a member of the legislature’s Veterans Committee, I believe this task force and everything it’s established to do is a much-needed service to our men and women coming out of the military. Our veterans need jobs when they leave the service, and the training they receive during that time could be a necessity to the work force. That’s why a substitution for their credentials is needed.

“This will add jobs and improve the skilled workforce,” Rep. Bacchiochi said.

After unanimous approval during the committee process, and overwhelming support in the House, the bill now awaits a vote in the State Senate.

STAFFORD – A service berry tree, which will don white blossoms during the spring, was planted on Earth Day in front of Johnson Memorial Hospital for the 100th anniversary of the hospital’s auxiliary.

State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, R-52, was joined by State Sen. Tony Guglielmo, R-35, in finalizing the tree’s planting – a sign of future growth for an Auxiliary organization that began in 1913. The planting, organized by Johnson Memorial’s Auxiliary, featured a citation signed by the Connecticut General Assembly, and delivered to the Auxiliary president by the legislative duo.

“One hundred years of growth, community initiatives and hard work is a significant accomplishment. In recent years, the hospital’s auxiliary has not only donated its time and efforts to the greater north-central Connecticut community, but has also financially supported health services with thousands of dollars in donations,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “Health care at Johnson Memorial Hospital is already top-notch, and the auxiliary has played a substantial role in that.”

The tree-planting served two purposes, the auxiliary members said. It will be a “living reminder” of both the 100-year celebration and of Earth Day. The service berry tree produces berries that may at one time have been used in Native American treatments – along with its twigs and roots.

The Johnson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary began in 1913 with 18 ladies representing nine churches in Stafford. Their first fundraiser, a food sale, took all summer to prepare, and raised a “very generous” $18.75 by selling over 250 donated jars and cans of food, the auxiliary said.

“A tree-planting like this is a great reminder that volunteerism and philanthropy are well worth it,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “The ladies of the auxiliary should be commended for their continued hard work and rewarded for their success. Stafford and the surrounding area is greatly appreciative of everything they’ve done over the past century.”

Here is a summary of legislation proposed by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. The General Assembly is expected to vote Wednesday, April 3 on the package:

GunViolencePreventionProvisions

MentalHealthProvisions

SchoolSecurityProvisions

HARTFORD — The legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee unanimously approved a measure that seeks to create a new civilian medal of honor on March 21.

The bill, introduced by State Representatives Penny Bacchiochi (R-Somers) and Melissa Ziobron (R-East Haddam), gives the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection the authority to award the Medal of Honor to Connecticut citizens in recognition of a valorous and heroic deed performed in saving someone from death or serious injury. Recommendations for the honor may be submitted to the commissioner of DESPP by any member of the public and will be considered by an appointed selection board.

Reps. Ziobron and Bacchiochi said the proposal was motivated by stories of heroism in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy and subsequent discussions with constituents.

“At a time in this state when we are inundated with sad and tragic news, it is important to recognize heroic acts that demonstrate courage, valor and honor,” said Rep. Bacchiochi, who serves as House Republican Caucus Chair.

“There are some remarkable people that have done incredible and selfless acts to save others- and not all of them wear a uniform,” Ziobron said. “We rightfully bestow awards upon those that are sworn to protect us but I think it is right to recognize our civilians that endanger themselves to protect others. They are heroes too.”

The bill will now head to the House of Representatives for further action. The legislature has until midnight on June 5th, the final day of session, to act on the proposal.

The state legislature is considering a bill that would increase the penalty for residents failing to report child abuse, and state Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, the House Republican Caucus Chair, believes the civil offense should be made a felony.

Rep. Bacchiochi, R-Somers, told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the current penalty for the civil offense, a $500 to $2,500 fine, should be increased to a felony. Rep. Bacchiochi testified on behalf of Raised Bill No. 6342, which would amend the Connecticut General Statutes to reflect the increased penalty.

“This act would make this a felony, as this will help ensure that all efforts are being made to offer children every protection possible, and that their safety net is being put first,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “We need to make sure that adults report crimes against children, and that events, such as what occurred at Penn State, do not happen in our state.”

Former employees of the Pennsylvania State University athletic system failed to report child abuse charges on convicted serial child molester Jerry Sandusky, who was a former coach that reportedly sexually abused young boys over a 15-year period, although no witnesses of the crimes told authorities.

For Rep. Bacchiochi, the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee’s decision to move forward with the bill comes with her support, after years of tried to expand child abuse laws in Connecticut. As a mother, Rep. Bacchiochi has been an advocate for children safety in the legislature since her initial election in 2002.

The failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect could be considered an intentional or unreasonable interference and made a class D felony, if the amendment becomes law. The amendment would come under Section 53-21 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

HARTFORD – State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi called on state legislators Wednesday to refuse Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s $41 billion budget proposal, which she said is cause for more hurt and harm than help during a tough economic climate.

Rep. Bacchiochi (R-52), the House Republican Caucus Chair and member of the General Assembly’s Higher Education, Housing, Public Safety & Security, Energy & Technology, and General Law committees, said Gov. Malloy’s proposal is “more and more borrowing to help an already growing deficit.”

“Connecticut is already facing a $2.2 billion deficit and this budget is simply a matter of putting more spending on the credit card,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “The cuts proposed by the governor will come on the backs of towns like Somers and Stafford, who are already hurting enough. His budget will force towns to increase already skyrocketing property taxes, forcing residents to spend even more. Instead of cutting back, the governor has chosen to extend a large chunk of debt, and has continued his spending spree.”

Other aspects of Malloy’s budget include:

•    Continuation of the electric generation tax, likely to result in more than $80 million passed on to families and businesses.
•    Avoids exceeding the Constitutional Spending Cap by moving $900 million in spending outside of the cap.
•    Bonds $1.5 billion in FY 14 and $1.6 billion in FY 15.
•    Finances $750 million to reduce the GAAP deficit and push out debt payment until 2016.
•    Pushes off Economic Recovery Notes payments. $300 million in bonding that will be moved from the next two years into the outyears.
•    Bonds Pay-As-You-Go transportation projects (irony perhaps unintended) – $20 million a year.
•    Implement Tax Amnesty program for $25 million.
•    Eliminates $24.9 million in school transportation and adds a $5 million regionalization grant
•    $47 million grant to municipalities to make them whole.
•    Eliminates $94 million in municipal revenue sharing grant (AKA manufacturing machinery and equipment grant / property tax relief).

HARTFORD – Nigerian governmental officials were welcomed Tuesday to the State Capitol by State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, as the group made its way through the United States, learning more about American government.

Rep. Bacchiochi (R-52), a member of the Higher Education, Housing, Public Safety, Energy & Technology, General Law and Veterans committees, met with the members from Nigeria’s National Assembly Service Commission, the administrative assistant staff of Nigerian elected officials. The reception, hosted by the African-American Affairs Commission, allowed Rep. Bacchiochi an opportunity to build relationships and further understand the Nigerian culture.

“Today was a perfect example of improving and promoting the overall well-being of the African-American community, and more specifically, the Nigerian-American community here in Connecticut,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “Our government, both state and federal, is similar to the Nigerian government in terms of structure and leadership positions. This opportunity to share ideas in bettering our respective cultures was a great experience. I believe we all learned much more about one another.”

Tuesday’s meeting was the second time Rep. Bacchiochi had met with Nigerian delegation, forming a continued bond with the Sub-Saharan leaders. Rep. Bacchiochi’s husband, who was also in attendance, is a Nigerian-American.

The General Assembly’s African-American Affairs Commission helps achieves its goals in the legislature through informational sharing, promoting cultural awareness and community networking. Inviting the Nigerian National Assembly Service Commission to Hartford was one outlet the Commission decided to include in its 2013 schedule.

“I’m thankful the delegation came out,” Rep. Bacchiochi said of the Nigerian officials. “I enjoyed meeting them, and I hope they enjoyed their time here in Connecticut.”